KAPEX update

[mastercabman]

I bought the Kapex early July and decided to take it back.I had problem with the table.At first it was just stiff then it got harder to turn to the point that it was grinding.
A few days before i took it back,i went to my local woodcraft store for a demo on Festool presented by a Festool rep.
He told me that he will ship some of those new metal plate to replace the original one.He told me that festool knows about the problem and are trying to resolve the best way they can.
I took the saw back before they got the replacement part.My time was up and i could not wait for the part so i returned the saw.
A few weeks went by and i had to stop at woodcraft to get some supplies,i started to talk to one of the employee(a good friend now)and he told me that he replaced the part on their demo saw.
The demo saw was pretty bad,you had to use both hands to turn the table.
I tried the saw with the new part,and i'm still NOT happy with it.Still somewhat stiff and kind of feel like it's rubbing on the top of the miter scale,just like mine did when i got it.

How smooth are your Kapex really?  Is it just me or this saw really have a bad design?(just like the Dewalt imo)

 

[erikfsn]

I like the feel of mine. I can turn the table easily with one hand, no indication of grinding/rubbing.
Mine works well enough for me that I cannot imagine any improvements for it.

I bought mine around 6 weeks ago I think and have used it extensively several days out of each week
and am very happy with it.

 

[Frank-Jan]

I have my kapex from december last year. I don't use it as often as most people who do only carpentry, but whenever I do use it still puts a silly grin on my face.
The only issue I have with mine is that the lasers won't stay calibrated when the saw is moved, I talked to a festool rep about this and he said to bring it in for warranty repair, and I would have it back in about 3 days. I still haven't done this, because it has to be done at the dealer I purchased it from, and I don't come there often (and I read horror stories from other people and thought I might get more serious problems, that could be dealt with at the same time).
The miter adjust on my saw goes smoothly, but can't be set dead on with one hand; I move it close, and then tap the hand that's holding down the detent-override with my other hand. (The same way I set the miter on my makita ls1013). The miter setting doesn't make a scraping sound, just a metal on metal gliding sound, which I find pleasant and has been the same since I got the saw. When the mitersetting is locked down, it is locked so, that it can't be bumped to a different setting, without unlocking the lever (I tried this after reading the design change for the US version was because some saws didn't lock firmly enough; this isn't the case with mine).

 

[Dan Clermont]

My KAPEX was extremely stiff when first pulled out of the box. I was concerned about the turntable stiffness and called Festool Tech Support and talked to David.

David walked me through how to check the spring plate spec and make sure mine wasn't one of the problem machines (it met spec). The table seems stiffer then my Makita and we talked about that as well. From my understanding Festool ships them with a stiff table to prevent injury if you forget to lock the table down before making a cut (believe that was the answer). I was told if the stiffness was an issue I should loosen off he turn table nut 1/8 of a turn or do what some hae done by going to a Nylon nut system (I believe Eiji posted this on a forum somewhere).

Friends have come over and say the stiffness is similar to the Dewalt models they own and felt it was a non issue.

I love the KAPEX and am getting used to cutting with lasers and yesterday I really enjoyed using the MFT 3 as a support.

Dan Clermont

 

[thudchkr]

My Kapex was stiff when I got it and after a couple days sitting around with no use on it whatsoever, it developed the grinding issue.  Reading one of the threads here, I followed the suggestion to loosen the screws holding the suspect part.  Removed all grinding noises and table pivoted smoothly. Contacted Festool and talked to rep there.  He stated they would send out replacement part right away and told me that I could file the old one to where it would perform just like the new replacement part.  Just needed to be sure to not take too much off.  Seeing as how I wanted to use the saw prior to receipt of the replacement part, I dug out a file and slowly removed metal, checking it by replacing it on the saw till no grinding occured throught the entire range of motion.  Replacement part showed up a couple days later but never bothered to change it out.  The modified spring plate has continued to work great since and unless something else happens with my modified part, I'm going to continue to use the one that I know works without any problems.

 

[Hannans]

I'm in New Zealand and have had my Kapex for about a month and have the grinding when selecting mitres, which has been spoken of in different threads, but my new problem is the guard getting stuck in the raised position and having the blade exposed after a cut.  I have taken the blade out to see if something was stuck inside but even with the blade out it still does it.  Any help would be greatly received!

 

[bonesbr549]

Mine's fine but I'm a hobbyist so my use is limited, but never reall had the problem.

 

[ROb McGilp]

I'm in New Zealand and have had my Kapex for about a month and have the grinding when selecting mitres, which has been spoken of in different threads, but my new problem is the guard getting stuck in the raised position and having the blade exposed after a cut.  I have taken the blade out to see if something was stuck inside but even with the blade out it still does it.  Any help would be greatly received!

Hi,
I had a similar problem, but just working the guard up and down a few times seems to have fixed it. With the saw unplugged and the blade down.

Regards,

Rob

 

[Hannans]

Thanks Rob,

tried your suggestion but still no good. Looks like I'll be contacting the rep to see what he has to say about it.

 

[mrwilby]

I have the same issue here also.

I use compressed air to clean around the right hand side of the blade and this helps for a bit... but then it starts again after a few more cuts.

I didn't realise this was such a common problem (I haven't been on the forums a lot lately) but I think I will also contact Tooltechnic Finland to see what they have to say...

 

[Russl1969]

I bought my Kapex in September and it worked fine at first, but then it started grinding and became very hard to move.  So far I'm rather disappointe in the Kapex, which is a big let down, because I have been extremely happy with my other Festool equipment. 

 

[stevelf]

--- I had dreamed of buying a Kapex previously because my Makita LS 1013 has been on its last legs after 10 years of daily use. But I was initially afraid to, after extensively researching the Kapex issues on this website. Well, I broke down and took a chance and bought one 2 weeks ago at a Woodcraft... Everything about it is way higher than my expectations, as I mentioned in a previous post here. The electrician at my jobsite offered me $100. for my old 1013, and I took it.... The Kapex has been a real graceful treat to use daily is all I can say.

 

[nickao]

Post again at the 90 day mark and let us know. Well, if you use it a lot in the 90 days anyway, let us know.

Possibly the Kapex issues are worked out?

 

[Greg in Memphis]

Hey Nickao
It's been a while since I've posted about my Kapex. I've had it since early July.
Still running just fine. Great saw.
So far it's been just perfect in every way.
I still can't get over how a saw this light and portable can have such capacity and power and still be so relatively quiet (compared to other SCMSs).
I've been a bit apprehensive to mention these good things for fear of jinxing myself. Also, I didn't want to come off as being boastful. But yep, so far so good.
I could give you another update in 6 more months if you'd like. Until then, if I have any troubles out of my Kapex, I'll be sure to post them here.

Greg

 

[nickao]

Yep it is quiet that's for sure.

 

[norwegian wood]

i too have noticed this stiffness and scraping noise. But i had been using it manytimes indoors in heated space. Then in December i had a job where i had to make my cuts outside and the truck was outside all night with the saw in the back in 20 degree weather. only then did it start to make the scraping noise.  something tells me the cold temps shrink the materials used on some parts of  the saw and that is what was causing the restriction on mine, because the next day when working inside and inside ever since then never had the problem again. i guess i will found out on my next cold outdoor project if i need to make an adjustment.